Götz Sterling Silver Violin Bow – Germany circa 1930-1940

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The Markneukirchen region in Germany, sometimes referred to as Musikwinkel or Music Corner, is known around the world for the exceptional musical instruments and bows. This has been ongoing for the past three centuries. The G. A. Götz jr. company is still operating today. It began 142 years ago by the current owner’s great grandfather Conrad August Götz. The Götz shop survived two world wars and has been family owned since 1884. The Götz Music Instrument Co. now located in the university town of Erlangen, Germany, situated less than 30 miles from Bubenreuth, one of the great instrument making villages of Europe. Conrad took great pride in the quality, especially of his string instruments and bows offered in his music shop. His violin and bow collection made locally helped make his name and music company known all over the world.

I acquired this bow from a Scottish auction along with a violin I purchased through the auction a decade ago. I was originally on the on the auction site to purchase a vintage silver ring for my wife – a thirtieth wedding anniversary gift. I got the ring and a violin outfit. I gave my wife Ann the ring and I kept the violin and bow. The bow shows normal playing wear but is still in very good condition. It was made sometime in the 1930-40’s. It is pernambuco, round section, and mounted in sterling silver. The stick is firm with a Parisian eye frog. The sterling rings around each pearl eye are slightly thicker/larger than a normal silver ring. These rings are .9 of a millimeter wide. The tip is sterling, looks beautiful, and the heel is two pieces held with silver pin work. The silver lining is held in place with two small bronze screws. The endscrew button is three pieces finished on the end with a pearl eye. The bow has a balance point in the middle to lower half. The winding for the stick is whalebone captured at one end with a leather thumb grip. This is another WOW for the bow. As a player I enjoy the feel of a real whalebone winding in my right hand. German detail equaled with good craftsmanship in the stick brings about good results. The orange/red/brown color in the wood is lovely and contrasts well with the sterling.

Weight fully haired 62.5 grams